Best fell running shoes for 2025 | Tested by experts on tough mountains trails

The La Sportiva Mutant is a stylish mountain running shoe designed to handle challenging trails. It features a split tongue with spiral side lacing system and integrated gaiter to keep debris out and provide a snug fit.

The Mutant offers excellent comfort with plenty of cushioning and a padded tongue which spreads pressure and secures the heel. It has a mesh pocket to tuck laces in, and a convenient heel loop for easy removal.

Coming in at 310g (size UK8), it's not the lightest fell runninign shoe reviewed here, but for the weight you get substantial protection and support, with a 10mm drop and comfortable EVA moulded midsole which comes together to stabilise the foot nicely.

The sticky FriXion rubber outsole with 6.5mm multi-directional lugs offers exceptional traction over a wide range of terrain. It excels on rocks, uneven surfaces, and wet boggy trails, instilling confidence for both ascents and descents.

The upper is made of anti-abrasion air mesh nylon, which allows it to remain breathable and efficiently drains water and mud. A double reinforced toe bumper adds even more protection.

The shoe accommodates wider feet in the toe-box, but tends to run small in overall size, so sizing up by a half-size is recommended. Overall, the La Sportiva Mutant has to be our absolute favourite choice for fell running as it offers comfort, protection, and outstanding traction.

Check out the men's version here

The Higher State Soil Shaker 2 is a fell and mountain running shoe from Sportsshoes.com's own brand range. The Shaker immediately make a bold impression with their red and black design which is reminiscent of bowling shoes, but in the best way. The shoes are quite chunky due to generous padding, especially around the top and the tongue. While this cushioning does a good job of adding comfort and preventing rubbing, it does mean that moisture is retained when wet.

To counteract moisture retention, the upper is constructed from a dual mesh that allows water to escape and provides breathability during warm runs. The shoe has well-placed reinforcement via the PVC overlay in high-wear areas, but we were disappointed to see a split in this material after a few long runs (this didn't affect functionality though). The lacing system keeps the shoes secure but were too short to double-knot and had to be replaced.

Meanwhile, the 7mm multi-directional lugs provide excellent grip in muddy conditions, with efficient water drainage, and the rubberised material offers solid traction even in wet environments. The 8mm drop and moulded insole offer comfort, protection, and support on uneven surfaces, with the flex groove at the forefoot allowing for natural movement.

At 380g, these shoes are heavier than many trail shoes and, combined with the padding, can feel bulky. We found them true to size and a good fit for wide feet.

The Inov-8 X-Talon G 210 V2 is a trail running shoe designed for fast running over uneven and technical terrain. Tested over long distances across fells and extra muddy trails, the X-Talon impresses with its combination of flexibility, toughness, and low weight.

The fluorescent yellow colour enhances visibility on the trails, making it an ideal choice for cross-tri athletes and fell runners, particularly in winter. The shoe's 8mm graphene lugs provide excellent traction, while Inov-8's lightweight graphene-enhanced outsole rubber offers impressive grip and durability, even on wet rocks.

Meanwhile, the Cordura mesh upper allows for breathability and quick water expulsion, making the X-Talon suitable for particularly wet runs or a swimrun athlete. However, we found that the shoe lacks substantial padding, which may not suit those needing more arch and ankle stability.

The X-Talon performs exceptionally well on hills and fells but is less comfortable on short stretches of road due to limited shock absorption and long lugs. It's worth bearing in mind that you can't have both the extremely long and grippy lugs you find in winter trail running shoes and the same level of comfort you'd find over hard ground in a road to trail running shoe - it's one or the other. In a good fell running shoe, grip and agility should be prioritised above all else.

Overall, the X-Talon is a well-made, lightweight, and durable shoe best suited for tackling extreme and muddy terrain you'd find on the fells. While it may not provide enough support on harder surfaces, it's an excellent choice for trail runners who prefer a natural, close-to-the-ground feel.

Read our extended review of the Inov-8 X-Talon G 210 V2 here.

Check out the men's version here

The newest iteration of Salomon’s much-loved Speedcross trail running shoe, the Speedcross 6 GTX is designed to take on muddy trails and rough off-road running with more grip and at a lighter weight than its predecessor.

We tested the Gore-Tex version, which has all the features of the classic Speedcross 6 (£140) while also being fully waterproof, adding to the shoe’s durability. The Speedcross 6 has a host of really functional elements, including the Quicklace system, which fits smoothly against the upper and has a simple pull and lock mechanism, while any extra lace can be tucked into a mesh pocket at the top of a tongue.

This comes together to give a nice firm lock to the heel, while the strong Energy Cell+ EVA midsole manages to provide enough cushioning that it doesn’t feel too rigid.

There is a total commitment to trail with a solid toe box, ergonomic Ortholite insole and a solid Contagrip outsole. When it comes to grip, the Speedcross 6 comes up with the goods, the 5mm lugs inspiring confidence on the most technical of terrain and both up and down hills. Mud isn’t an issue and that lug spacing throws most straight off.

The sixth iteration also comes in a touch lighter than the previous model as well. So while the Speedcross 6 won’t provide the comfort of a road to trail shoe, it does excel as a pure off-road shoe that you can rely on to be protective and super grippy, while remaining agile enough for the fells.

Check out the women's version here

The Scarpa Golden Gate Kima RT is a specialised trail running shoe designed for fast fell running. The shoe has speed-optimised features, including its 'new generation foam' midsole, which is designed to optimise foot arch elasticity, thus reducing energy expenditure while running. It's 6mm drop would best suits those with average foot geometry and arch height who are looking for a neutral shoe.

The shoe's midsole incorporates a double-density layer called 'Active Foam' with the 1mm carbon plate sandwiched within. It has a precise fit, due to a reduced-volume last with a sock-fit construction and internal lateral stability cage, which just moulds to the foot without being tight and uncomfortable.

What sets the Kima RT apart is its remarkable propulsion, thanks to the carbon plate, curved rocker-like shape, and springy midsole foam, all combining to create a quick and responsive run feel. The Kima RT is relatively lightweight at 255g per shoe (UK5) and provides excellent ground feel due to its slim stack height.

All important traction is achieved through the 4mm arrow-shape lugs, which provide a surprising level of traction for their length and can handle both mud and boggy fells. Of course, where the Kima RT excels is over hard-packed off-road terrain since the carbon plate can retain foot down to toe-off running power.

Read our full review of the Scarpa Golden Gate Kima RT here.

Check out the women's version here

The Supertrac Amphib are Scott’s first shoe designed specifically for multi-sport events, including obstacle course races and swimrun events. Above all, Scott prioritises good drainage and traction in the Amphib, which is covered in a striking plastic mesh KPU coating to allow for optimal drainage while running. The covering is also designed to increase durability of the shoe, which quite literally is made to go through the wringer, and be able to keep running afterwards.

The drainage system works excellently in wet weather, with plunging through streams and wet trails adding no extra weight to the shoe. However, we found that the coating started to degrade and even come away in small sections after some longer distance runs, so we’d keep the Amphib for the short stuff.

The performance tongue and good lacing system also helps keep the shoe firmly in place, though a quick-lacing system would be preferred to avoid re-doing soggy laces. There’s a reinforced toe box to stops injuries to the toes and a good amount of padding around the ankle.

On the most part, the 6mm lugs are well-placed to stop the Amphib from getting blocked up with mud. Disappointingly, there were lacking in grip over hard wet surfaces which should have been the main selling point of the shoe.

The Amphib has a moderate 5mm drop and slim stack, which enabled us to maintain good ground feel while running. Meanwhile, the midsole has a curve which Scott dubs the e-ride, we found it did its job in offering a more stable mid-stance and promoting a faster more efficient running style, though increased the shoe’s rigidity in doing so.

The lightweight and agile shoe comes in at a slim 280g for our UK8, though it’s worth bearing in mind that performance fit is a narrow one, so we’d recommend going up half a size to your normal digits.

Check out the men's version here

Inov-8 says the new and updated version of the popular X-Talon Ultra 260 V2 trail running shoe now comes with an improved fit and locked-in feel. The new, feather-thin tongue stays in place when laced up, with no rubbing or shifting. While ample ankle and footbed padding complements the 9mm/6mm midsole stack for comfort on rugged terrain.

With 8mm 'Graphene Grip' lugs, the Talon provides impressive traction without feeling heavy, weighing in at 260g. They handle tree roots and rocks well, instilling confidence even during night runs. The shoe's stability is reassuring, and it sheds mud efficiently, maintaining a solid grip even on the slippy stuff.

The grip remains consistent on steep inclines and declines, while the large toe bumper and 'ballistic nylon' upper offer protection and durability. Though not fully waterproof, the Talon handles wet conditions effectively and drains well.

Overall, we found the Talon to be a great choice for fell running as they excel in comfort, grip, and durability, making them suitable for running in challenging weather conditions. Despite being known for its wider toe fit, they accommodated our tester's narrow feet well, providing a good heel lock but also leaving ample room for swelling over longer distances.

Read our extended review of the Inov-8 X-Talon Ultra 260 V2 here.

Check out the women's version here

Chunky and aggressive lugs are an essential component for any fell running shoe worth it's salt. The Scarpa Spin ST looks like a weapon; its bold, angular, 7mm lugs are clearly geared for digging into soft, wet mud and propelling you up steep banks with full force.

As well as the rugged Vibram Megagrip outsole and lugs (which Scarpa calls 'Fixion ST'), we were impressed with how overall light and nimble this shoe feels. The mesh in the upper is nice and breathable around the midfoot which provides great drainage – we're always fans of a shoe that you can see your socks through.

Further up, Scarpa have added a supportive collar which wraps around the ankle, adding to the secure fit. It isn't the full-on sock-style approach that you sometimes see – this collar is a tad thicker for insulation and weather protection. The material is effectively water resistant, making this shoe an ideal choice for wet winter days.

The lacing system on the Spin ST is interesting. You get an adjustable lace lock which you can click into place once you're happy with the tightness. It's a bit fiddly at first but we got used to it pretty fast, and it's certainly handy for maintaining a secure fit. The whole thing tucks away neatly into a compartment attached to the tongue, which means no snagging as you run, and no mud on the laces when you're done.

In all, with. a familiar EVA midsole and an extra-comfortable TPU insert, the Spin ST is a bang-up choice for fell running or simply hitting the trails after a storm. Or during. We really like the flexy upper, an important and underrated component for hilly terrain.

Check out the women's version here

While the other products in this list will keep your shoes squeaky clean on the outside, these dryer bags will help soak up the moisture from your running shoes on the inside. Keeping them feeling fresh and free of that post-run 'pong'. We've never come across such a handy product to help refresh our kicks after wet runs. These sacks are stuffed with 100% cedar wood, which absorbs moisture out of the inside of a shoe four times quicker than air drying. They're also re-useable – simply hang them up to dry after use for six hours in between runs, then they're ready to go again!

Extend the lifetime of your running shoes by keeping them well looked after. This spray is a PFC-free, environmentally conscious spot cleaner (275ml), designed for footwear and outdoors gear. It's also Gore-Tex friendly, so won't denigrate the longevity of your waterproofing.

This Nikwax bundle is a footwear care kit for leather and fabric materials, complete with a brush and a dry bag. This kit earns high marks for its sustainability credentials, and the included dry bag proves invaluable during extended running trips and adventures.